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Romania has a rich hydrographic network, which permitted the construction of over 80 large dams on its water courses, estimating a number between 545 and 674 hydropower plants that were either built or were in a different construction stage on the rivers of Romania in 2021. These hydropower plants were often built outside specific legislation regarding ecological impacts, especially before 1990. Longitudinal fragmentation of rivers causes severe ecological impacts on biodiversity, food chains, and nutrient cycles. Someșul Cald River is the main tributary of Someșul Mic River, the most important water source for the northwestern region of Transylvania. On its course, several dams and reservoirs were built from 1968 to 1980 for electricity production and population freshwater supply. The present study aimed to analyze the length–weight relationships (LWRs) and condition factors occurring in the longitudinally fragmented Someșul Cald River. The LWRs, relative condition factor Kn, and Fulton condition factor K were determined based on total length and wet body weight. Comparisons of LWRs, Kn, and K across river sections constrained by dams showed that some fish species exhibited similar growth patterns and physiological conditions, while others differed significantly. Freshwater fish physiology is altered by longitudinal fragmentation, both natural and artificial. Barriers such as dams influence the energy gradient, limiting feed availability and, consequently, the life history of fish species. Long-term management plans regarding conservation should take into consideration existing fish species population dynamics, along with their physiological and somatic status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review aims to analyse the use and effects of carotenoids in salmonid aquafeeds. Species of the family Salmonidae are of great interest for aquaculture due to their many properties, like fast growth and nutritional quality. Some species from this family are among the most farmed fish in the world. Thus, there are many studies on different farming technologies, fish biology, market dynamics and others. However, there are always new challenges in the aquaculture of salmonids, being a continuously improving activity. Consumers are becoming more considerate about what they choose to buy and consume. Thus, some aspects emerge as great influencers in the buying decisions of consumers, such as animal welfare, in addition to usual influencing factors, like product freshness and colour. A category of ingredients used in the salmonid aquaculture are carotenoids. They are pigments supplemented to diets for colouring the fish flesh, making it more appealing to consumers. However, some other benefits can also be observed, especially on the health of fishes. Be it synthetic or natural, carotenoids have become a largely used ingredient in salmonid aquafeeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regular consumption of fish can contribute to a more balanced and healthy diet. Incorporating fish into one's diet is important for maintaining a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. The processes of traditional smoking undergo a complex series of steps that significantly influence its quality, nutritional composition, and sensory characteristics. To address this issue, a study was conducted to evaluate the meat quality and salt concentration of traditionally smoked Arctic char at different stages of the smoking process (fresh meat, salted meat, desalted meat, and smoked meat). All the physicochemical measured parameters varied significantly during the smoking processes, with the quality of the products remaining high. The final product, traditionally smoked trout, experiences a substantial decrease in water content through drying, salting, desalting, and smoking at high temperatures, increasing dry matter content. Furthermore, there is a significant boost in protein content in smoked trout compared to fresh, salted, and desalted meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alternative protein sources to replace fish meal in aquaculture feeds are continuously sought after. The fish meal industry is unsustainable, from an economic point of view and because of its impact on wild aquatic ecosystems. This review presents the use of gastropod species (class Gastropoda) in aquaculture feeds. Gastropods have been studied for their potential use in aquaculture feeds, mainly as an alternative source of protein to fish meal. Gathered studies from various databases encompass gastropods nutritional value, and their performance in rearing aquatic organisms. Fish meal replacement with meals sourced from gastropods is closely analysed in this paper. Synthesized information from this review will benefit future research on this subject. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human consumption of fish meat is very heterogeneous, differing from one part of the world to another, from one country to another, from one region to another and is influenced by many factors. In terms of the level of importance of fish consumption globally, the main factor that ranks it among the top important foods is the high amount of protein it provides. In this survey, a series of 22 questions were addressed to people aged between 18 and 76+ summing 1017 respondents. This study reflects consumer perception on aquaculture goods and services in Romania. Respondents purchase fisheries and aquaculture products mostly from supermarkets, consider fish organoleptic properties to be very important, but also, they observe the poor supply of Romanian aquaculture products on the market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digestive system of fish is different from one species to another, depending on the type of food ingested. Danube salmon Hucho hucho (Linnaeus, 1758) is a critically endangered species of the Salmonidae family with the threat of extinction looming large, therefore conservation efforts are urgently needed. This study presents a detailed microscopic analysis of the Zeissl membrane in Danube salmon, through histological means. The biological material analyzed consisted of six fish raised in a specialized breeding farm for restocking purposes. Samples were collected from the gastrointestinal tract and processed using histological paraffin embedding. The Zeissl membrane was present in all studied segments, but its structure and development varied. It comprised the stratum compactum (SC) and stratum granulosum (SG). The SC formed a continuous membrane with unequal thickness in most of the studied segments, except for the cardia area of the stomach, where it appeared discontinuously, and the duodenum, where it only appeared between the apertures of the pyloric caeca. Aside from its role in limiting gastrointestinal distension, it may have other implications for the morphophysiology of the Danube salmon digestive tract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The monitoring of ichthyofauna from rivers and rivulets crossing urban areas is important in the context of preserving ecosystems under continuous anthropic pressures. In addition, new invasive species may be observed. This study aims to present current data on the ichthyofauna of Becaș River, which has its entire course in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. For this purpose, alpha diversity, LWRs, Fulton condition factor (K) and relative condition factor (Kn) were determined. In total, 1216 specimens were analyzed, classified into 13 species, from 8 families. The species with the highest abundance was Pseudorasbora parva (46.46%), and the species with the lowest abundance were Cyprinus carpio and Perca fluviatilis (0.16%). Regarding LWRs, the lowest value of the b coefficient was obtained for Rutilus rutilus (2.7651) and the highest value for Phoxinus phoxinus (4.0868). The highest value of K was obtained for C. carpio (1.815) and the lowest value for Cobitis elongatoides (0.5942). The Kn was between 0.5436 (Gobio carpathicus) and 1.0330 (C. elongatoides). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The habitat of the European mudminnow, Umbra krameri Walbaum, 1792, is continuously decreasing due to human intervention. The species has a "vulnerable" status according to the IUCN Red List. Thus, new information about the species is needed for conservation efforts. Minnow traps were used for capturing Umbra krameri and other small fishes in the Jie River, Dolj County, southwestern Romania. Captured specimens of U. krameri were measured and weighed. Length-weight relations and relative condition factor were determined for the captured U. krameri specimens. A total of 94 fishes were captured using the minnow traps. They represented 7 species: European bitterling, Rhodeus amarus (Bloch, 1782), roach, Rutilus rutilus (Linnaeus, 1758), rudd, Scardinius erythrophthalmus (Linnaeus, 1758), Danubian spined loach, Cobitis elongatoides Băcescu et Mayer, 1969, weatherfish, Misgurnus fossilis (Linnaeus, 1758), tubenose goby, Proterorhinus marmoratus (Pallas, 1814), and U. krameri. The specimens of Umbra krameri represented 44% (41 specimens) of the total catch. The wet body weight (BW) of U. krameri ranged from 0.8 to 5.1 g, having a mean value of 2.102 g. The mean total length (TL) was 5.782 cm, ranging from 4.59 to 7.87 cm. According to the length-weight relation (LWR), the growth type of U. krameri was positive allometric based on the determined equation: BW = 0.0068TL3.277. The mean value determined for the relative condition factor (Kn) was 1.0056486. The growth condition of 46% of the specimens was poor (Kn < 1; n = 19), while the other 54% were in good condition (Kn = 1; n = 22). The presently reported study provides information about the presence of U. krameri in the Jie River (Dolj County, Romania), a location where the species has not been previously reported. The LWRs show an allometric positive growth. The relative condition factor shows that 46% of the specimens had poor growth, while the rest were in good condition. Minnow traps were an efficient tool for small fish capture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolism, a manifestation specific to life, represents the set of physical and chemical processes through which living matter achieves continuous renewal to function and organize the specific activity. The physical-chemical composition of goat milk is conditioned by breed, individuality, area, and age. This study analyzes the physical-chemical composition of milk from a population of Carpathian goat breed, in the first seven postpartum days (first, third, and seventh day) according to age (primiparous and multiparous) to observe the physical-chemical changes from colostrum to milk. The physical-chemical parameters analyzed were: fat (g/100 g); protein (g/100 g); casein (g/100 g); lactose (g/100 g); solid non-fat - SNF (g/100 g); total dry matter (g/100 g); pH; freezing point (FP); urea mg/dl; somatic cells count - SCC/ml x 1000; total bacteria count - TBC/ml x 1000. Results highlight the intense changes that occur at the physico-chemical level of goat's milk to cover the nutritional requirements of the newborn goat and indicate the health status of the mammary gland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The monkey goby (Neogobius fluviatilis) is a species present in the ichthyofauna of Romania, which naturally inhabits the seaside area, the mouths of the Danube, the Danube, and the Danube tributaries lower sections. The species currently expands its range across the European continent, and it is now inhabiting new aquatic environments, including the Someș River catchment, in the Transylvania region of Romania. The purpose of this study is to analyse the biometric aspects regarding the Neogobius fluviatilis populations from the Someș River catchment. Specimens of Neogobius fluviatilis were collected from 9 locations situated on the main course of the Someș River and from a lake built on a small river from the Someș catchment, the Țaga Lake. The collected specimens were preserved, and morphometric analysis was conducted in the laboratory with the following biometric aspects being analysed: length classes distribution and the length-weight relationships (LWR), such as the Fulton condition factor (K) and the allometric growth. In the present research work, we managed to obtain important information regarding the biometric aspects of the monkey goby (Neogobius fluviatilis) population from the Someș River catchment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is the first reference regarding the length-weight relationships of freshwater fishes inhabiting one of the most important spawning waters of the endemic endangered Danube salmon (Hucho hucho). Fulton condition factor (K) was calculated for 1366 individuals belonging to 16 species from Ruscova River, north of Romania. Length-weight relationships were determined for 1362 specimens from 14 species. The smallest slope value (b) was determined for Romanogobio uranoscopus (b=2.2437) and the highest value for Telestes souffia (b=3.6058). The Danube salmon (Hucho hucho) showed positive allometric growth, having the calculated value of the slope of 3.3879. The mean values of Fulton condition factor (K) for the captured specimens were: Cottus gobio (1.161), Alburnus alburnus (0.3726), Alburnoides bipunctatus (0.8142), Barbus barbus (0.9434), Barbus carpathicus (0.9202), Chondrostoma nasus (0.8867), Romanogobio uranoscopus (0.8196), Phoxinus phoxinus (0.9888), Squalius cephalus (1.137), Telestes souffia (0.898), Barbatula barbatula (0.6693), Eudontomyzon danfordi (0.1293), Hucho hucho (0.8454) and Thymallus thymallus (0.9522). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we aimed to highlight the influence of anticoagulants on erythrocyte morphometry in different vertebrate species. Anticoagulants are a category of substances that inhibit blood clotting through various mechanisms. Due to this property, they are used to collect blood samples for a wide range of laboratory tests. The literature mentions that the use of anticoagulants produces morphological changes of erythrocytes, thus influencing results. Blood samples were collected from three warm-blooded vertebrate species (horse, rabbit, and chicken) and one lower vertebrate species with nucleated erythrocytes (fish) in vacutainers with Heparin and EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), in a normal concentration and a double concentration. At the time of harvesting, control smears were performed. In order to be able to compare the effects produced by anticoagulants on the morphology of erythrocytes, they were evaluated morphometrically at intervals of 3, 6, and 24 hrs. after harvest. The following features were evaluated using the Toup View software: length, width, surface and perimeter of erythrocytes for species with anucleated erythrocytes. The same characteristics were evaluated in the nucleus for species with nucleated erythrocytes. The data obtained were processed with statistical programs to highlight changes in erythrocyte morphology produced by anticoagulants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goats are extremely prone to many metabolic diseases that lead to disturbance milk production and their general health. The purpose of this paper was to highlight the particularities of hematological profile Carpathian goat breed according to age and physiological status. The study was conducted in a farm in Poiana Aiudului area, Livezile county of Alba, during July 2020 - March 2021. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein into EDTA bottles in the period preceding the mount, at the beginning of the gestation and postpartum period. Blood samples were transported in refrigerated conditions (4 degrees C) to the USAMV Cluj-Napoca, Veterinary Medicine Laboratory. The hematological profile was structured in the following elements: White blood cells (WBC-10^9/l), Lymphocyte (LYM-10^9/l), Monocyte (MON-10^9/l), Neutrophils (NEU-10^9/l), Lymphocyte percentage (LY-%), Monocyte percentage (MO-%), Neutrophils percentage (NE-%), Red blood cells (RBC-10^12/l), Hemoglobin (HGB-g/l), Hematocrit (HCT-%), Mean corpuscular volume (MCV-l), Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH-pg), Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC-g/dl), Red cell distribution width (RDWc-%). The results obtained were statistically processed, being beneficial in making faster and more efficient decisions to ensure the welfare and health of goats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper deals with a detailed description of the auditory ossicles in Capra hircus. The paper focuses on the morphological and morphometrical description of the ossicular assembly, formed by malleus, incus and stapes. The malleus (overall length, as average‐ 8.16 mm) comprises the head of malleus (Caput mallei), a slightly strictured part—neck (Collum mallei) with 3 distinctive processes (lateral, rostral and muscular) (Processus lateralis, Processus rostralis and Processus muscularis) and a handle (Manubrium mallei). The head of malleus has an oval aspect with an obtuse articular surface on its medial surface (Facies articularis). The neck is evident with three bony processes described—the anterior, almost triangular, the muscular one quite reduced and the lateral one which is the most developed one. The manubrium is the longest sector—4.4 mm and appears as a slightly curved piece. The incus presents a body of 1.3 mm and two processes—the short and long crus (Crus breve and Crus longum). The overall shape of the ossicle resembles a biradicular molar. The lenticular process is a continuation of the distal part of the long crus. The stapes—the smallest in size of the three ossicles (2.7 mm), has a head (Caput stapedis), an anterior (Crus rostrale) and a caudal (Crus caudale) arm and a footplate (Basis stapedis). The two processes are slightly different in size and morphology, delimiting the intercrural space that shows the presence of a bony spicule. The footplate (1.6 mm2 area) is ellipsoidal, with an anterior narrower extremity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring fish fauna in altered aquatic habitats may provide relevant information regarding the distribution, presence or absence, and dynamics of fish species. Someşul Cald River is the main tributary of Beliş-Fântânele Reservoir and Dam, build from 1970 to 1974. The presence of the dam could have affected fish fauna, especially potamodromous brown trout Salmo trutta and European grayling Thymallus thymallus because of habitat obstruction. Altitude, riverbed width, water depth, and water velocity are easy to determine aquatic environmental parameters. River altitude and riverbed width played an important role in European grayling preference regarding the auspicious environment. Correlation coefficients showed that increasing altitude is a limiting factor for European grayling (r=-6024*, p<0.05). Wider riverbed is preferred by the same species (r=0.672*, p<0.05). Beliş-Fântânele Dam blocked the migration of fish and made the grayling ecological zone framed by two trout ecological zone (upstream and downstream). The distribution range on the altitude of the brown trout in Someşul Cald River was from 518.5m to 1153.5m and 577.5m to 1068.5m for the European grayling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study we analyzed fish species composition and diversity indices of Iara River (Cluj County). A total number of 189 specimens belonging to 9 species and 4 families were caught, using single pass electrofishing techniques. A total number of 11 sampling sectors were established. Our results were compared to previous studies and show changes in species distribution and diversity indices, due to environmental changes caused by climate changes and anthropic activities. We noticed the absence of the Grayling (Thymallus thymallus) and Stone loach (Barbatula barbatula) mentioned in previous studies, and the first record of Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio) in Iara River catchment. Also, the Caps dam (Iara -- Fântânele deviation) blocks the upstream migration of Common bullhead (Cottus gobio). The calculated diversity indices (Shannon H', Simpson 1-D, Margalef Md, Berger-Parker d and Evenness J') show a low species diversity. This is the result of intense anthropic activities such as deforestation, dam construction and habitat fragmentation, even though the upper sector of Iara River is integrated in Natura 2000 protection areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The consumption of fish meat in Romania is on an upward trend, due to the establishment of salmonid units on the territory of the country. The trout's commercialization is mainly in fresh or chilled form, but for the diversification of the products offered to the market, it is also sold in preserved form, either by salting or by smoking. The analyses performed on the chemical composition of trout meat were as follows: water content, dry matter, fat content, protein content, non-nitrogenous extractive substances and minerals The chemical analysis was made in all phases of the technological flow of conservation by smoking: fresh meat, salted meat, desalted meat and smoked meat throughout the technological flow for the Rainbow and Brook trout species, reared in the fish farm. Therefore, the chemical analyses of the meat pointed out that the highest percentage of water content is found in the Rainbow trout comparative to Brook trout in all stages of the technological flow. On the contrary, the dry matter content was higher in the Brook than in Rainbow trout. As for the fat content we noticed that the Brook trout registered higher values than the Rainbow trout. For the protein content, the obtained values were quite close to both species of salmonids. Both Rainbow trout and Brook trout traditionally smoked meat registered values that are within the limits cited in the scientific literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, the extinction of donkeys (Equus asinus) worldwide is very limited, but donkey milk is recently getting popular in many countries due to its nutritional properties and chemical composition. For this reason, in our country, the farmers are encouraged to keep, to raise and increase the number of donkeys in their farms. Milk and donkey products are niche products, consumed by a small number of people, especially people suffering from various diseases (e.g. food allergies, children to whom breast milk should be substituted with milk similar in composition). Donkey milk brings benefits to consumers due to its chemical composition. Donkey milk storage depend on the chemical composition, antioxidant capacity and the biochemical degradation under heat treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water quality parameters determines the success or the failure of a fish culture operation, so any proper-prepared plan for aquaculture must describe the quality and quantity of water available for this purpose. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physical and chemical water parameters in Rainbow trout culture, in the summer season from three salmonid farms, due to the environmental changes that are nowadays happening and affect the fish culture operation. The water samples were collected from Bistria-Năsăud County, from three trout farms: Strâmba, oimul de Jos and Fiad, in the summer of 2018, between May and August. For the determination of water parameters (dissolved oxygen, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity and resistivity, pH, temperature, salinity) was used the Hanna HI 9828/4- 01 Multi-Parameter and for the chemical parameters (total ammonia, nitrates, nitrites) samples were transferred to the USAMV laboratories. The samples collection was made in each farm from three different places: catchment, basins and evacuation water areas. The results of the study showed that the parameters observed from the three farms were different, with major differences in month of July and August. The environment of fish aquaculture is a complex system with critical parameters as are the temperature, suspended solids, dissolved oxygen, nitrite and ammonia. However, the temperature and the dissolved oxygen are the most important parameter, requiring continuous monitoring in aquaculture production systems, due to the fish aerobic metabolism which requires an elevated level of dissolved oxygen at optimum temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of modern goat breeding systems implies the addition of the classical methods used to improve the genetic potential with methods of appreciation of the hereditary base and their productive capacity. The purpose of this paper was to highlight the particularities of the evolution of the body weight from birth to the weaning of the kids goat Carpathian and kids goat breeds (Saanen male and Carpathian female), established according to three main factors: parturition type, the sex of the kid goat and the status physiology of the mother goats. The study was conducted in a farm in the Trascău mountains area, locality Rimetea, county of Alba, during January-June 2019, where we monitored daily: the body weight and sex of kids goat at birth, type of birth and the age of the parturients. The working method consisted of daily monitoring and weighing the kids goat studied with an electronic scale with an accuracy of: 5 g (0.5 g-10 kg); 10 g (10-50 kg). The obtained results have been statistically processed, being beneficial in making faster and more efficient decisions in the selection and improvement process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anesthetics are widely used in fish farming. Their purpose is to reduce the mobility and stress of fishes due to manipulation. In the present study we tested the efficiency of clove oil (Eugenia caryophyllata) in different doses [4.70 mL anesthetic/50 liter of water (0.094 mL/Lwater); 2.36 mL anesthetic/50 liter of water (0.0472 mL/Lwater); 1.82 mL anesthetic/50 liter of water (0.0364 mL/Lwater)] in carp (Cyprinus carpio) and in Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio) with different body mass. Anesthesia induction times were monitored. At each of these stages the respiratory rate was monitored by recording the opercular movements. The results show a direct correlation between the fish size and the induction times of anesthesia. Regardless of species, larger and heavier specimens require longer periods for anesthesia. Instead, recovery times in larger-body specimens were shorter. Different doses have influenced the duration of anesthesia induction and recovery times, the most effective dose being 4.70 mL/50 liter of water followed by 2.36 mL/50 liter of water. The dose of 1.82 mL/50 liter of water did not induce anesthesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The body temperatures of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss were monitored from June through August 2018 in three trout farms from Bistrița-Năsăud County (Romania). The body temperature was measured from 3 different regions of the body: head, trunk (epaxial and hypaxial muscle region) and caudal peduncle. Body temperatures were compared to the basins water temperature. The lowest water temperature in the basins was recorded in May and June, in Șoimul de Jos farm, and the highest temperature in Fiad farm. In July, Strâmba farm, recorded the highest water temperature, and in August, Fiad farm. In all farms studied, the body temperature of the trout was higher than that of the basins water temperature regardless of the studied region. The highest differences between the basins water and body temperature in farms were found in the caudal peduncle and epaxial muscle regions, due to their role in locomotor mechanism. This is due to the high growth density, the feeding and the intensification of metabolism, with energy release, as well as a much higher level of stress than that encountered in the natural environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]